Bobby Marchan (born Oscar James Gibson) (April 30, 1930 in Youngstown
Ohio – December 5, 1999) was a well-respected American rhythm and blues
bandleader, MC, singer-performer, recording artist, and female impersonator,
who initially began performing in New Orleans nightclubs, specifically the
Dew Drop Inn and the Club Tijuana in the mid-1950s.

Marchan also toured with the band of Huey "Piano" Smith, sometimes
performing as lead singer / bandleader and substituting vocally for Huey
Smith (who reputedly often would stay in New Orleans to write and record
while his namesake band "Huey Smith and the Clowns" played clubs and toured
on the road). The touring band included James Booker on piano.

One of Marchan's vocal performances with Huey Smith and the Clowns can be
heard on the New Orleans R&B recording, "Don't You Just Know It", which was
released in 1958. Marchan also had a solo #1 hit on the national R&B charts
in 1960 with the tune "There is Something on your Mind," a cover of a song
performed by Big Jay McNeely.

Marchan recorded for a handful of small soul labels such as Fire Records,
Volt, Dial, Cameo, and Gamble as well as Ace Records, which had released the
Clowns' records.

Marchan regularly performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Festival.

In the 1990s his company Manicure Productions was involved in hip hop
music booking and promotion including Take Fo' Records bounce music artist
DJ Jubilee. He was involved with the formation of Cash Money
Records.

Marchan died from liver cancer on December 5, 1999.

Matt Minglewood

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